New York Islanders Turbulent History with NHL Expansion Draft

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Apr 22, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; General view before game six of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs between the San Jose Sharks and the Edmonton Oilers at SAP Center at San Jose. The Edmonton Oilers defeated the San Jose Sharks 3-1 to win the series. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

1991,1992 and 1993: The Big Three

In 1991 the Minnesota North Stars folded and the San Jose Sharks were born. This time teams would be allowed to protect 16 skaters and two goaltenders. More than in previous years. The increased protection limit was likely due to a team folding and with another 20 teams.

In ’91 the Sharks drafted with their first pick Jeff Hackett from the New York Islanders. It wasn’t a big loss for the Isles, Glenn Healy was the starter. In two seasons with the Islanders, he had a 3.59 GAA and .879 SV%. Stats that got worse playing with what was essentially a reserve squad in San Jose.

In 92 the league added two teams, the Ottawa Senators, and Tampa bay Lightning. This time the protection rules became more complex as the NHL didn’t want to repeat what happened with San Jose. Who finished 30th with a terrible 39 points and a -140 goal differential.

Teams were to protect two goalies and fourteen players but had to expose a goaltender that had played at least a single game in the previous season. No biggie for the Isles, their tandem of Healy and Fitzpatrick were ok, and neither team was going to tough Steve Weeks or Danny Lorenz.

The Isles lost defenseman Joe Reekie and forward Rob DiMaio to the Lightning. Neither stayed with the team long. Both left the Lightning the following season.

In the 1993 expansion, a few days before the draft the Isles acquired Ron Hextall from the Quebec Nordiques in a swap of first round picks and Mark Fitzpatrick.

Which lead to the Isles losing former starter Glenn Healey to Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and Tom Fitzgerald to Panthers. In the third expansion in the same number of years teams needed to protect a single goaltender, five defensemen and nine forwards.

No worries just to make things complicated there was a second draft for all the new teams from 91 and 92 to pick from the two newbies. So Glenn Healy was selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning. Who then immediately traded him to the Rangers. Nice.

Healy was much better as a Ranger that an Islander. He even won a cup that year backstopping Mike Richter.